Outstanding Rural Health Professional

This award is presented to a professional (e.g., manager, administrator, director, legislator, etc.) located in rural North Dakota, who has demonstrated leadership in the delivery of rural health services, and is unselfishly committed to making a significant and sustained impact on the health of their community and service area.

2025 – Ben Bucher, CEO, Towner County Medical Center, Cando
2023 – Darla Roder, Compliance Officer, COO, and Interim CEO of Langdon Prairie Health, Langdon
2022 – Mara Jiran, CEO of Spectra Health
2020 – William McKinnon, MD, Medical Director of Regional Operations for Altru Health System
2019 – Daniel Kelly, CEO/Administrator, McKenzie County Health Systems
2018 – Theo Stoller, CEO of Jacobson Memorial Care Center, Elgin